Well there really isn’t a scam, they just underperform.
The onboarding process is painless, they offer a FREE 7 day trial and then follow it with an introductory $19 for the first month if you decide to unlock the paid version. Like I said, none of it is scammy, it’s just that the free (i.e. incomplete) version of the program is so well done that you would be a fool not to upgrade. The genius of Wealthy Affiliate’s onboarding is also one of its hindrances. I wrote about it in early posts, and I still believe they did the best I’ve seen as marketers.
Value
If we’re arguing value and bang for your buck, Wealthy Affiliate delivers depending on your pace. What I mean by that is, if you can get into this program and finish it within 2 months, yes this is worth a spin. However, if you are the type that will enroll and then sit stagnant for months, you’ll rack up the $49 a month for quite a while and might as well save money and pay $500 that you can get back from SEO Affiliate Domination.
I’m not sure if it’s just unnoticed or assumed a part of the game, but WA will bleed you dry.
Subscription Model Digs A Hole
When you’re starting off, it’s said to take 90 days in order to gain traction. I think this is about right, and true to the assumption, I earned my first commission around this time. The problem with WA’s business model is twofold:
- Your site is hosted through there software. Assuming you’re a beginner, it can be intimidating moving your site if you decide you’re wanting to quit WA.
- Blogging is typically a one-time fee type of business. You put in work and you earn commissions eventually. But when you factor in $49 overhead, it may take much longer to earn a significant income.
(For perspective, 90 days is $117 in subscription fees, my first commission with $30.)
Conclusion
Yes Wealthy Affiliate is for you if you’re the MLM type, not really wanting to commit and willing to try this affiliate thing out.
Maybe you will succeed, but if you can’t do it quickly (less than 90 days) realize that you will then have dug yourself a hole. The same hole that you would dig with SEO Affiliate Domination, however, they offer to send you a $500 check once you implement the teaching and succeed.
I’m all about a discount, but in this case it pays to go with the more expensive SEO AD rather than the perceived discounted WA.